How to Do a Hot Stone Massage on the Neck

Hot stone massage is a great way to take traditional massage to a much deeper level. The hot stones not only help heat to penetrate and relax sore, tired muscles, they also give the therapist a break, requiring less pressure to work deep into the muscle tissues. With just a few simple steps, you can learn a few tricks to massaging the neck with hot stones.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Oil/lotion warmer or warm pot of water
• Massage oil or lotion

1. Heat your massage oil or lotion in a special warmer or simply place the bottle in a warm pot of water. Cold lotion can shock your client when working with the hot stones, so keep them as comfortable as possible by only applying warm oils and lotions.
2. Warm up the muscles of the neck by applying a small amount of lotion or oil to your palms and gently massaging the neck. Begin at the base of the neck and move your hands slowly and firmly down the edges of the spine. Work all the way to the base of the shoulder blades, as the muscles of the upper back also connect to the neck. Work back up, running your palms along the top of the shoulder blades and back up to the neck, repeating until the tissue warms.
3. Place a hot stone in each hand and then test the temperature by placing the stones on the upper back and asking the client if the heat is okay. Rest a stone on either side of the spine at the base of the neck and run them smoothy down the spine, repeating the motions you used in the warm up.
4. Release one stone and place it at the base of the neck while you use the opposite hand to apply gently pressure to the top of the shoulder, helping to stretch the muscles as you massage with the stone. Rub the stone into the muscles using small, circular motions. Work all the way from the base of the neck to the shoulder, moving up and down and then repeat on the opposite side.
5. Finish the hot stone massage for the neck by releasing the stones and repeating the beginning movements with just your palms.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use hot stones directly over the spine or bony protrusions.